Dr. Danielle Harth was awarded the N‘DIGO Foundation scholarship in 2008 and recognized as a N’DIGO Magazine “Where Are They Now” Honoree in 2012. She earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at Chicago State University and is a graduate of Adler University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Dr. Harth’s work has been recognized by the American Psychological Association, Illinois Psychological Association, and National Alliance of Black School Educators. Dr. Harth is a School Psychology Administrator for Chicago Public Schools, and she is a certified school psychologist, certified school counselor, licensed professional counselor, and art therapist. Dr. Harth also serves as an adjunct professor. Her passions include uplifting educational leaders, increasing parent engagement, empowering people to maximize their potential, creating art, and serving in ministry at Insight Church.
Her latest venture is designed to build a facility and provide programming that will restore the lives of young adults in Chicago and the Chicago community through education, career training, and affordable housing.
It’s a pleasure to catch up with Dr. Harth and discuss her journey 14 years after receiving the N’DIGO Foundation scholarship and the path she’s taken to success.
N’DIGO: Tell our readers where you were born and about your family.
Dr. Danielle Harth: I was born and raised in the Western suburbs of Chicago in a loving, God-centered household with my father, mother, and brother. My parents have modeled the importance of education through pursuing higher education and their achievements. They have been great role models for my brother and provided a foundation for our development. I have wonderful memories of my childhood and the opportunities they offered us to travel. I was also encouraged to be involved in stimulating extra-curricular activities, like participating in orchestra, cross-country, track and dance, basketball team management, and events that exposed me to other cultures. Those experiences have also helped shape my character, understanding of the importance of family, and love for education.
It’s been 14 years since Blue Cross Blue Shield awarded you the N’DIGO Foundation scholarship. What led you to study psychology?
Amazingly, it has been 14 years; time has passed so quickly! I am grateful to the N’DIGO Foundation for investing in my education and, ultimately, my path towards my future. I studied psychology because I desired to know how people develop and better understand them so that I could do more to help improve their lives. Understanding people’s motivations, the stories of people’s lives, and how environmental influences impact people has always been interesting and choosing the path to study psychology has been rewarding. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and my dual Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and Art Therapy from Adler University.
Psychology drew me to working within school environments and afforded me the opportunity to become a certified school psychologist, a certified school counselor, and a licensed professional counselor. In addition, my involvement at the school level showed me how educational leaders could refine and create structures to support learners’ holistic well-being and development in an educational environment. That inspiration contributed to my attainment of a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Chicago State University and my desire to provide sustainable educational opportunities for others.
Why did you choose a career in counseling?
I chose a career in counseling because I enjoy being on a team and contributing to people’s lives. To me, therapeutic relationships are teams; those teams require having shared purpose, collaboration, vulnerability, support, trust, respect, security, and action with my clients. I know from experience that having strong teams and partnerships helps make life more productive and fulfilling.
What aspects of your education, experience, or personal background have been most helpful in your career?
The relationships I have gained from connecting to people through my church and my educational path have been the most helpful to my career. Spiritual leaders such as Pastors James and Sharon Ward and Dr. Matthew and Kamilah Stevenson provided me with spiritual insight and guidance and set examples of sound leadership. In addition, I have encountered great leaders encouraging me to persevere and supporting my professional development, such as Dr. Angela Henderson at Chicago State University and Dr. Jennifer La Civita of Adler University. Finally, my family and the extension of my family through friends have all had meaningful roles in my growth. I look forward to fostering that type of support for others refining their skill sets, and developing their careers.
What is your current position? What are your main responsibilities?
As an administrator of school psychology for the third largest district in the United States, I manage, recruit, evaluate, and provide professional development to school psychologists. In my role, I analyze district data and ensure that students receive support so that they can acquire educational skills that will prepare them for the next levels of their academic path and career. Through my experience I am acquiring my certifications as a school principal and director of special education. Additionally, I am a therapist in a private practice where I have the privilege of providing individual, couples, and family therapeutic services.
Can you give me a high-level overview of how a practitioner and client might decide which therapeutic approach is best?
It is a collaborative effort between a therapist and client to decide which therapeutic approach will work best towards identifying and supporting the client in achieving their goals. The therapeutic approach is heavily dependent on the relationship, interactional style, and the client’s needs. For instance, one client may need a therapeutic style that is more analytical and focused on the client’s thoughts and actions. Another client may benefit from behavioral therapy to target destructive behaviors which then result in a positive change in that person’s thoughts and interactions. Whereas, there may be another client who would have greater success towards their goals when the therapist demonstrates a client-centered approach that provides validation and unconditional acceptance.
Art therapy may be useful for some clients that have difficulty communicating and expressing their thoughts and feelings. Establishing a therapeutic relationship and building trust with clients provides the forum to explore which therapeutic approach is best for the partnership.
You are an artist as well. When did you discover you had the talent to draw?
I discovered my artistic talents before I left for college. Initially, I wanted to have a large painting for my dorm room wall, which led to my creating my own artwork. I discovered how powerful it felt to be a creator and a producer and make something outstanding from basic materials. Additionally, I learned how therapeutic it is to release what is inside of you through art. I have continued to create art since that discovery, and it has contributed to more incredible blessings in my life and even more relationships with great people due to their love for art.
Where can I view your artwork? Is it for sale?
My artwork is available on my website www.danielleharth.com. My artwork is for sale; however, I enjoy creating original, custom art for purchase.
Do you ever incorporate art into your sessions with clients?
Creating art in sessions allows active, creative processes to be applied to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem, and improve self-awareness. The combination of these factors significantly helps clients in treatment.
What is your favorite part about being a counselor? Your least favorite part?
My favorite part about being a counselor is seeing the immediate reaction or facial expression that my clients have when I express my observations of their unique strengths or personal growth. Most people desire to be understood, appreciated, and have their efforts recognized and valued by others. When that type of personal acknowledgement is provided, especially within a therapeutic relationship, it helps strengthen the overall relationship and helps the client feel seen, valued, and secure.
My least favorite part is when therapy comes to an end with some clients. While I am grateful that clients reach their therapeutic goals, I often still think of my previous clients and wonder how life is going for them.
Do you have any “favorite” questions that you typically ask new clients to start a dialogue?
The interactions a person had with their family were their first exposures to classrooms, relationships, teams, and contributed to shaping their identity. So, my favorite questions with new clients are related to learning about their earliest recollections with their parents. Another favorite of mine is asking clients to define their values and identify if there are consistencies or inconsistencies with their beliefs or actions that are contributing to internal conflicts.
Is there any advice you would share with those considering counseling as a career? What would you say to the graduate student who is just starting out in the field of counseling?
My advice to those considering counseling as a career would be to align yourself with mentors, advisors, and supervisors because their guidance and knowledge of the field will help strengthen and increase your confidence as a new therapist. I have benefited greatly from clinical supervision with Dr. Adam Fominaya of Delve Psychotherapy of Chicago. I know that when I was a graduate student, I was nervous about the mystery of clinical supervision. However, I am pleased that since having supervision, the guidance I received exposed me to greater clinical skills, increased my self-awareness as a therapist (and as a person), and allowed me opportunities to collaborate with other clinical psychologists and therapists for community and knowledge sharing.
Mental health does not discriminate. What are your thoughts about mental health issues in the Black community? What can/should the city do to help?
Our Black community needs access to health care services and nutrition because mental health is impacted by physical health. The shared experiences of racism, discrimination, inequity, and the structural challenges of not having access have had generational impacts on the collective functioning of the Black community. Additionally, the stigma of seeking out mental health support is a barrier that gets in the way of many Black people pursuing mental health services. A cultural shift is definitely needed to build a bridge that provides access to holistic services and sustainable well-being.
I have observed that there are many resources available that are being utilized by other racial groups, so I know that there needs to be an intentional expansion of how information is marketed to the Black community so that individuals can utilize resources to improve their health and the functioning of primarily Black communities. I strive to be a part of the solution in shifting culture and providing restoration for Black individuals, Black families, and Black communities.
When was the last time you took some time off for yourself?
Typically I have taken two vacations each year, but more recently, I have become a fan of brief weekend trips. In addition, however, I find ways to enjoy myself by attending concerts and plays. I am still developing my work-life balance formula.
What’s your favorite restaurant?
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen is certainly my favorite restaurant. Seafood is my favorite cuisine, and I have so many pleasant memories of enjoying the restaurant with my family and for celebrations.
You and your mother are very close. How important is family to you?
My mother (Bobbie Jean) is an extraordinary role model to me. She demonstrated how to invest in the futures of her children. She has taught me how to confidently pursue my dreams and persevere through temporary challenges. My mother has always uplifted and acknowledged me while also challenging me to become my best self. She is my most precious jewel and my best friend. From my mother, I learned that a secure family creates a foundation to succeed in life and navigate the inevitable challenges. Although I am currently single, I believe it is wise to invest in developing a strong family unit, and I look forward to the opportunity to do so.
What affirmations do you live by?
“Creating art is taking ordinary tools and transforming the ordinary into something visually extraordinary so that others can have their minds provoked to do something to improve the condition of their lives.” That is an affirmation that developed from my personal experience with art that has transferred to all aspects of my work through applying and perfecting what I have (my knowledge and abilities) to change outcomes for others in a way that will improve their lives.
Who is your favorite artist?
God is my favorite artist. To me, there is no one that has been a greater influence and inspiration to me than the ideas that God has given me. Reading scriptures and stories in the Bible has not only provided guidance and identity but has contributed to my greatest visions and the artwork that I am most proud of. My 2 Samuel 22: The Rescue of David (Version 1 and 2) paintings are based on David’s song of praise to God while providing a vivid description of when the Lord used natural forces to rescue David from Saul’s army. There is so much content and depth in the Bible, and I look forward to creating more faith-based art in my future.
If you could go back in time, what would you tell the earlier version of yourself?
I wish I would have recognized the freedom that creating art has provided for me a lot sooner. I created my first painting at age 17, and my confidence grew once I discovered a productive way to express my thoughts and emotions. My advice to young Danielle would be to get art materials and begin creating and apply your time and energy to creating because creative leaders are the people shaping the world.
Where can I find you on social media?
Instagram: @danielleharthfineart and @dr.danielleharth
Website: www.danielleharth.com
Email: danielleharth@gmail.com
What’s next for Dr. Danielle Harth?
I am very excited for what’s in development. My partner, Bobbie, and I will launch The Chicago Restoration Center in 2024. The center will be a faith-based restoration facility for young adults in Chicago that will provide educational access, career training, and access to affordable housing in order to create pathways towards success that are sustainable, for individuals and the Chicago community. We need the support of investors and community leaders to join our board so that we may collaborate in providing access to certification programs, career training, and affordable housing for young adults in Chicago.
Sylvester Cosby is the Digital Editor and a Contributing Writer for N’DIGO.
